Abbott Shifts Gubernatorial Run To Education

PLANO (AP) – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott is putting new emphasis on education in his campaign to replace Gov. Rick Perry.

The Republican is scheduled to begin a series of classroom roundtables Tuesday, starting near Dallas. He’s expected to make several stops around the state while preparing to unveil his vision for Texas public schools.

Education figures to be a pivotal issue in the 2014 governor’s race. Democratic challenger Wendy Davis has enjoyed support from teacher groups since staging a 2011 filibuster in the Texas Senate that temporarily blocked $5.4 billion in education cuts.

The Republican-controlled Legislature restored most of that money this spring behind the spending power of a resurgent Texas economy.

Abbott launched his long-expected campaign this summer. He’s talked about the economy and gun rights in previous stops.